Mangaluru, November 7: “Review is necessary in the Society. The eminent will be controlled only when we cultivate the questioning ability. Unfortunately, today criticism is missing in the cultural field also”, expressed the Kannada literature critic Dr N Balasubramanya.
He was presiding over the Vishwa Konkani award of the year function organised at TV Ramana Pai Hall in Kodialbail in the city on November 7th Thursday, which is conferred by the Konkani Language and cultural association.
For their contributions towards Konkani art, literature and language, Vimala V Pai Vishwa Konkani Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred to Fr Mark Waldar (75), former editor of Raknno Konkani Weekly.
The Best Konkani Sahitya Puraskar was presented to veteran Konkani writer Edwin J F D’Souza, Mangalore, for his work ‘Kallem Bhangaar’.
The Best Konkani Kavitha Krithi Puraskar was conferred on renowned Konkani poet Sanjeev Verenkar, Goa, for his poetry collection ‘Aswasth Surya’.
Mandarke Madhav Pai was honoured with the Basti Vaman Shenoy Seva Puraskar for his contribution to Konkani language, old Kannada Vachana Sahitya and Konkani translation.
Dr Meena R Chandavarkar, vice-chancellor of Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur was awarded with the Basti Vaman Shenoy Seva Puraskar for her contribution to the education sector.
Each of these 5 awards consisted of Rs 1 lakh cash with citation, shawl and memento.
Vasanthi R Pai, Vimala V Pai, Payyanura Ramesh Pai, Pooja Bhat and others were present on the occasion.
